Unwanted minature sponges

[les]

A couple months ago I started having these small white tube sponges appear on my coral and glass. My aquarium is covered with them.
They are tube shaped, about 1/8" to 1/4" long and about the diameter of a pencil lead. Does anyone know what these are and how to get rid of them ???????

 

[beth]

This topic will proabably be better served in the Reef Forum, so, if you don't mind, I'll move it there.

 

[nm reef]

Les...I also have a number of those sponges in my system...most of mine are developed behind my rock....they don't seem to be a problem(I've pretty much let mine be)...even got a turbo snail that has some on his shell!!!!....for the most part they pose no problem that I know of
If you must rid your system of them I've heard that exposure to air kills sponges...so......expose 'em and see if they die off.....but that type of sponge growth is fairly common

 

[fishfood]

They sound similar to the things that were in my tank. About a month ago i ordered a cleaner package from here and 2 emerald crabs were included. I've noticed the emerald crab had been tearing into these things. I don't know if they are the same as in your tank but they sound like it. Most of them are gone from the tank now. I'm not saying they would take care of what is in your tank so hopefully someone with more exp. will give you more insight.

 

[t4stock]

I'm pretty sure they're Sycon sponges... do a search, and you will find some comments on this board

 

[javajoe]

Here is a photo of a cluster of sycon sponges- the website this photo is from has a ton of info on these.

Sycon sponge link....
Joe

 

[kevin01]

These are from high Silicates in your water. You can rid yourself of them by using Silicate remover (a granular substance form your LFS) or use RO/DI water (also from your LFS) however the Remover is only a band-aid and replenishing the tank with water high in Silicates will defeat the purpose. Other than that they are not harmful but can spread very quickly and you will have a whole tank full of them like I did. BTW some of mine got pretty large, almost an 1", but I think they detract so I got rid of them.

 

[dburr]

High silicates? Are you sure?, or did the LFS tell you that? Sounds like they were selling you something you didn't need.
Sponges are growing on my rock and I like it, kinda cool watching it open and close.
God.... I must be bored.